Benzene Polycarboxylic Acid Compounds and Their Use as Drug

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to new benzene polycarboxylic acids compound, which is prepared by alkaline oxidation of hydrolyzed lignin. The present invention also relates to the use of the new benzene polycarboxylic acids compound as part of a composite substance, where the composite substance is prepared by complexing or encapsulating the new benzene polycarboxylic acid compounds with a metal cation. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the new benzene polycarboxylic acids compound and for its use in cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to new benzene polycarboxylic acid compounds, which are prepared by alkaline oxidation of hydrolyzed lignin. The present invention also relates to the use of the new benzene polycarboxylic acid compounds as part of a composite substance, where the composite substance is prepared by complexing or encapsulating the new benzene polycarboxylic acid compounds with a metal cation. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the new benzene polycarboxylic acid compound and for its use in cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

One of the most studied drugs for treatment of cancer is the platinum drug Cisplatin. Cisplatin is a drug with a broad spectrum of activity and is efficient in the therapy of sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas to name a few. At the same time, a number of significant disadvantages are associated with this drug. Thus, due to rapid metabolism with formation of inactive protein-bound compounds the drug damages both cancerous and normal cells thereby exhibiting high toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity.

To overcome these problems substantial efforts are put in searching for methods of reduction of toxicity of Cisplatin by means of developing new metalloorganic complexes based on low-molecular organic ligands (U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,846; U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,927). In this respect, the use of polymeric compounds as chelating or encapsulating agents presents itself as a possible efficient solution of this problem.

US2010/0278925 patent application describes a new type of formulation of organoplatinic compound, comprising at least one organoplatinic compound and at least one associative water-soluble polymer, wherein the said polymer is produced by a polymerization of (Meth)acrylic acid monomers, Urethane monomers and Hemimaleate monomers, and an organoplatinic compound, which is selected from the group of Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin. In particular, this invention makes it possible to obtain an oral formulation of the drug in the form of syrup or granulate.

The present invention differs from the above mentioned inventions by using a polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids as a water-soluble polymer to produce organometallic compound preferably for parenteral, enteral and topical application.

Another patent BY6420 describes a polymer-drug formulation of cis-diammineplatinum (II) dichloride exhibiting antitumor effect. Object of the said invention lies in immobilization (encapsulation) of the platinum compound on the surface of 6-carboxycellulose. The resulting drug formulation is used for brain implantation in neurosurgery to prevent recurrence of malignant neoplasms. The said biodegradable polymer-drug formulation of cis-platin exhibits moderate neurotoxicity and improved cytostatic effect.

The present invention differs from the invention disclosed in BY6420 in that the water-soluble polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids exhibits its own biological effect and that the polymer-drug formulation based on the said polymer can be used for parenteral, enteral and topical application.

In RU 2182482 a process for preparing an anti-cancer agent based on potassium tetrachloroplatinate is disclosed. The said patent discloses a method, in which potassium tetrachloroplatinate reacts with humic compounds. In this method, an aqueous solution of humic substances is treated with a solution of potassium tetrachloroplatinate. The treatment is conducted under irradiation with ultrasonic waves with the power density of 40 W/cm² and the frequency of 22 kHz for 4 to 8 minutes. The product of the present invention differs from the product described in RU 2182482 by choosing a square-planar coordination compound of platinum (II) as the platinum agent. Moreover, the product of the present invention is produced by using a different method in that the conditions of irradiation are different and that the irradiation power is set per volume of the irradiated product and that the irradiation is performed until the quantity of platinum unreacted with polymer is brought to less than or equal to 25% of the initial quantity and that additionally a thermostating is performed until the quantity of the hydrolysable platinum is brought to less than or equal to 10%. Thereby a different product is obtained. The resulting complex of the present invention is characterized by high stability of bonds and substantially reduced toxicity.

In EP1864673 and RU2368379 another anti-cancer agent is described, which is also produced by reacting coordination compound of platinum (II) with humic compound that is preliminarily subjected to acoustic cavitation caused by exposure to ultrasound with the power density of 0.5 to 5 W/cm³ and the ultrasonic frequency from 18 to 66 kHz. The anti-cancer agent thus obtained is characterized by the content of high-molecular fraction of humic compound of less than or equal to 5%. The product of the present invention differs from the product described in EP1864673 and RU2368379 in that irradiation is carried out until quantity of platinum unreacted with the polymer is brought to less than or equal to 25% of the initial quantity and that additionally a thermostating is performed until the quantity of the hydrolysable platinum is brought to less than or equal to 10%. Thereby a different product is obtained. The resulting complex of the present invention is characterized by high stability of bonds and substantially reduced toxicity.

In RU2183124 a method for producing means protecting an organism against ionizing radiation, namely a substance with radioprotective properties, from materials of natural origin is disclosed. According to this method humic substances are derived from natural raw materials and an aqueous solution of such humic substances is treated with ammonium molybdate. The said treatment with ammonium molybdate is conducted at the temperature of 40±5° C. under irradiation with ultrasonic waves with the power density of 40 W/cm² and the frequency of 22 kHz for 4 to 8 minutes. The method uses humic substances obtained from oxidized wood lignin. The product of the present invention differs from the invention described in RU2183124 in that the molybdenum salt is selected from a wide range of compounds. Moreover, the product of the present invention is produced by using a different method in that the conditions of irradiation are different and that the irradiation power is set per volume of the irradiated product and that the irradiation is performed until the quantity of molybdenum unreacted with the polymer is brought to less than or equal to 25% of the initial quantity and that additionally a thermostating is performed until the quantity of the hydrolysable molybdenum is brought to less than or equal to 10%. Thereby a different product is obtained. The resulting complex of the present invention is characterized by high stability of bonds and substantially reduced toxicity.

In EP1864674 and RU2350353 another method of producing an agent protecting an organism against ionising radiation is disclosed. This agent is prepared by treating an aqueous solution containing humic substances and ammonium molybdate with wave radiation. The content of ammonium molybdate is selected in the range up to 0.4 parts by weight per 1 part of humic substances, the treatment is conducted until the high molecular fraction of humic substances is brought to the level of less than or equal to 5%. The product of the present invention differs from the invention described in EP1864674 and RU2350353 in that the molybdenum salt is selected from a wide range of compounds. Moreover, the product of the present invention is produced by using a different method in that the conditions of irradiation are different and that the irradiation is performed until the quantity of molybdenum unreacted with the polymer is brought to less than or equal to 25% of the initial quantity and that additionally a thermostating is performed until the quantity of the hydrolysable molybdenum is brought to less than or equal to 10%. Thereby a different product is obtained. The resulting complex of the present invention is characterized by high stability of bonds and substantially reduced toxicity.

Besides the benefits, compositions described in RU2182482, EP1864673, RU2368379, RU2183124, EP1864674 and RU2350353 have a number of disadvantages caused by the fact that organic ligands, which they incorporate, are characterized by variable composition, safety and biological activity and, as a consequence, cannot be used in the development of stable complexes or composite substances suitable for preparation of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or cosmetic compositions.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that a novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, characterised by low content of mineral and low-molecular impurities and own biological activity can be used for development of stable, safe and potent organometallic complexes.

Improved stability of bonds between the polymer and metal cation in such complexes is achieved through introduction of polymerization, purification and thermostating operations and use of new ultrasonication conditions when the power is set per volume and the treatment is continued until complex is formed with more than 75% of the metallic compound. Thereby a different product is obtained.

The present invention also discloses composite substances based on the new water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, in which the said polymer compound acts as a complexing and/or encapsulating agent forming low-toxicity highly efficient complexes with high-stability bonds. Even in low concentrations these new composite substances show high efficiency. Such composite substances comprising, for example, platinum and molybdenum complexes, demonstrate promising properties. The platinum complexes act as efficient anti-cancer agents and experimental results demonstrate their improved ability to kill cancer cells when compared to the prototypes and such known anticancer agents as Cisplatin and Carboplatin. The molybdenum complexes act as efficient agents for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases caused by cell cycle disruption, which result, for instance, from radiation exposure, cell aging or immune disorders. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can also be used in reducing/minimizing side effects resulting from conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Chemical properties of the new water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids make it possible to obtain a broad range of highly stable complexes, as well as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic compositions for parenteral, enteral and topical administration to human beings and animals.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention relates to a novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, which is characterized by having an elemental composition of 62-67% C, 3.8-4.2% H, 29-34% O, and less than 0.2% N per dry weight and where the sum of other elements is no more than 1% per dry weight.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method for preparing the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, in which a lignin-containing starting raw material is subjected to alkaline treatment, followed by acid density gradient treatment in order to obtain a crude water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, and finally subjecting the crude compound to purification.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to the novel water-soluble polymer compound for use in prophylaxis, treatment and modification of human and animal diseases and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound for use in prophylaxis, treatment and modification of human and animal diseases.

In a forth aspect the present invention relates to a cosmetic composition or a nutraceutical composition comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound.

In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a metal cation and optionally an anticancer agent and its use in a pharmaceutical composition for prophylaxis, treatment or modification of a human or an animal disease.

In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a process for preparing the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a platinum (II) square planar coordination compound.

In a seventh aspect the present invention relates to the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a platinum (II) square planar coordination compound for use as a drug or for use in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition.

In an eighth aspect the present invention relates to the use of the drug or pharmaceutical composition comprising the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a platinum (II) square planar coordination compound in the prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, such as for example cancer.

In a ninth aspect the present invention relates to a composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound, wherein the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids encapsulates or forms a complex with the said molybdenum compound.

In a tenth aspect the present invention relates to a process for preparing the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound.

In an eleventh aspect the present invention relates to the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound for use as a drug or for use in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition.

In a twelfth aspect the present invention relates to the use of the drug or pharmaceutical composition comprising the composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound in the prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a disease such as for example a cell cycle disruption disease or for modifying the said disease.

In a thirteenth aspect the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for use in reducing/minimizing side effects resulting from conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. ¹³C NMR spectrum of humic acids according to prototype RU2182482.

FIG. 2. IR spectrum of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention.

FIG. 3. ¹³C NMR spectrum of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention.

FIG. 4. Dimeric homo- and hetero-nuclear spectra of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention.

FIG. 5. FTICR MS spectrum of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention.

FIG. 6. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (m) spectra of a composite substance comprising polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention and cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride, the inorganic cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride (denoted on the figure as “Cisplatin”) and cis-diammine(cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate-O,O′)platinum(II) (denoted on the figure as “Carboplatin”).

FIG. 7. Pictures of PBMC cells on day 15 of incubation in medium without addition of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids (denoted as “a-control”) and in the medium containing the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention in the concentration of 215 μg/L of the medium (denoted as “b-polymer compound, 215 μg/L”).

FIG. 8 shows viability data of MCF-7, human breast cancer cells after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows viability data of T47-D, human breast cancer cells after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows viability data of PI45, human pancreatic cancer cells after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows viability data of T24P, human bladder cancer, and SKOV-3, human ovarian cancer cells, after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows LDH activity of MCF-7, human breast cancer cells after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows LDH activity of T47-D, human breast cancer cells after treatment with compounds of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids, which is characterized by the following elemental composition: 62-67% C, 3.8-4.2% H and 29-34% O, less than 0.2% N per dry weight and sum of other elements (inorganic impurities) is below 1% per dry weight. This novel compound possesses its own pharmacological activity, an enhanced degree of purity as well as an improved ability to form stable complexes or encapsulate various agents.

By the term “water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids” as used herein is meant a polymer, primarily comprising water-soluble polybasic aromatic carbonic acids.

The novel water-soluble polymer may be further characterized using the ¹³C NMR, IR and FTICR-MS methods.

According to ¹³C NMR, the amount of carbon of CH_(n) aliphatic groups detected in the 0-48 ppm range constitutes 15-22%; amount of aromatic carbon C_(AR) detected in the 108-145 ppm range constitutes 30-42%; amount of carbon of carboxylic and ester COO groups detected in the 165-187 ppm range constitutes 5-13% and amount of carbon of ketonic groups C═O detected in the 187-220 ppm range constitutes 2-8%. Total amount of low-molecular impurities detected at 168.5 ppm (carbonate-anion), 171 ppm (formate-anion), 173 ppm (oxalate-anion) and 181-182 ppm (acetate-anion) is below 1 percent.

By the term “low-molecular impurity” as used herein is meant a compound with molecular weight below 300 Da, which was not polymerized.

Noticeable specific stretching vibrations of ionized asymmetric COO-groups with peaks at 1410 cm⁻¹ can be seen on IR-spectra of the polymer. Wide complex absorption band corresponding to the mixture of aliphatic and aromatic carbonic acids is seen in the 1500-1700 cm⁻¹ range. Along with carboxylic acids the polymer also contains a significant amount of phenolic compounds bound to each other with hydrogen bonds. This is demonstrated by the presence of absorption bands in the following regions: 3400-3600 cm⁻¹ (OH), 1050 cm⁻¹ (C—O), 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ (OH). 2800-3000 cm⁻¹ region contains absorption band with peaks at 2928 cm⁻¹ and 2853 cm⁻¹ corresponding to valent vibrations of CH-groups in CH₃ and CH₂ groups. More or less expressed absorption peaks identified at 1750 cm⁻¹ correspond to vibrations of C═O groups.

A 1500 Da fragment of the novel polymer compound of the present invention can be represented by the following brutto formula: (C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3), where x₁≦12, x₂≦9, x₃≦33.

Benzene polycarboxylic acids (aromatic components, predominantly defined as methyl esters of benzene polycarboxylic acids) are the main monomers of the polymer. Additionally, the polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids comprises monomers, such as saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, saturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, monounsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, monounsaturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids and polyunsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids.

Saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids correspond to the general formula—C_(n)H_(2n)O₂, where n is from 12 to 26. Saturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids correspond to the general formula—C_(n)H_(2n)O₃, where n is from 16 to 26. Monounsaturated aliphatic carboxylic and hydroxycarboxylic acids correspond to the following formulas—C_(n)H_(2n-2)O₂, C_(n)H_(2n-2)O₃, C_(n)H_(2n-2)O₄, C_(n)H_(2n-2)O₅, where n is from 14 to 28. The above-described compounds are responsible for surface-active properties of the polymer.

Polyunsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids are represented by 13-cis-retinoic acid, 6Z, 9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatetraenoic acid, cis,cis,cis-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid, (9R,13R)-2-oxo-5-pentyl-3-cyclopentene-1-octanoic acid, 9S-hydroperoxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid, C13(S)-hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,11E-dienoic acid, 10S,11S-epoxy-9S-hydroxy-12Z-octadecenoic acid, 9S,12S,13S-trihydroxy-10E,15Z-octadecadienoic acid, 5,6-dehydroarachidonic acid and 15(S)-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,13E,17Z)-eicosapentaenoic acid. Antitumor and antioxidant effects of many compounds that belong to this last series (for instance, 13-cis-Retinoic (Isotretinoin), C13(S)-Hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,11E-dienoic acid, 5,6-Dehydroarachidonic acid) are also retained in the polymer of this invention.

The main group of monomers (aromatic components) comprises the following monomers: 3-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester, 5-(furan-2-carbonyloxy)-2-methyl-benzofuran-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 2,6-dimethyl-benzo(1,2-b,4,5-b′)difuran-3,7-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester, 5-(furan-2-carbonyloxy)-2-methyl-benzofuran-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, rhamnetin, methyl ((4-methyl-6-oxo-6h-benzo(c)chromen-3-yl)oxy)acetate hydrate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, sulochrin, 2,6-diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyldibenzofuran-1,3(2H,9bH)-dione, O-acetylsalicylic anhydride, 4-ho-3-((6-ho-benzo(1,3)dioxol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-methyl)-5h-furan-2-one, 2,3-bis-benzoyloxy-succinic acid, methyl 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dioxo-1,3,10,11-tetrahydrobenzo[5,6]cycloocta[1,2-c]furan-4-carboxylate, (1-methoxycarbonylmethoxy-6-oxo-6h-benzo(c)chromen-3-yloxy)-acetic acid methyl ester, atranorin and phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins. Many compounds that belong to this group exhibit antibiotic and antitumor effects.

The present invention is also directed to a method for preparing the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids. The novel polymer compound of the present invention may be prepared according to the method set forth below.

In the first step of the method a lignin-containing material is provided as a starting raw material. Examples of such lignin-containing materials include oxidized lignin, wood, peat, plant remnants, leftovers of pulp factories. The most preferred lignin-containing starting raw material is produced from conifer trees and is characterized by having a pH from 5.5 to 7, moisture content from 50 to 70% and comprising no more than 32% of polysaccharides, no less than 66% of lignin and no more than 2% of water-soluble compounds.

In the second step of the method a water suspension of lignin-containing raw material is subjected to treatment with alkali at a pH of 13±0.5 and a pressure of 2.2±0.3 MPa. Examples of alkalis that can be used include hydroxides of alkaline and/or alkaline-earth metals and/or ammonia. The preferred alkali, however, is sodium hydroxide. By this alkaline treatment a solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids is obtained as a result of the hydrolysis and oxidation.

In the third step of the method, the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids is subjected to acid density gradient treatment. In this step, the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids is treated with mineral acid and subjected to treatment with centrifugal forces. As a result, a density gradient is created and condensation and polymerization of benzene polycarboxylic acids takes place. Examples of mineral acids that can be used include such soluble stable acids as sulphuric, orthophosphoric, nitric and hydrochloric. The preferred mineral acid, however, is hydrochloric acid.

The forth step is a purification step, where purification with one or more purifying processes such as extraction, flotation, distillation, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, decantation and/or dialysis is performed to remove low-molecular impurities. The purification is continued until the quantity of low-molecular impurities detected with ¹³C NMR or another representative method (for example, gas chromatography) falls below 1% of dry weight of the polymer.

The best mode of the method of manufacturing of the polymer is disclosed in Example 1. Results of comparison of the polymer of this invention with the humic acids obtained in accordance with RU2182482 are also described in Example 1.

The present invention is also directed to composite substances that comprise the novel water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a metal cation and optionally an anticancer agent. In preferred composite substances the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids acts as a complexing and/or an encapsulating agent.

By the term “water-soluble polymer” as used herein is meant a polymer, which is soluble in water at neutral or alkaline pH at the concentration of 5 wt %.

By the term “complexing agent” as used herein is meant an electron-donor compound, which is able to form soluble complexes with metal ions, where these complexes may be coordination and/or chelate complexes. In these complexes fragments of the polymer of the present invention are the ligands of the central metal ion. The metal ion may be a 2s-5s or 3d-5d metal. Examples of such 2s-5s or 3d-5d metals are platinum, molybdenum, lithium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, silver, palladium and copper.

By the term “encapsulating agent” as used herein is meant a large molecule, which is able to confine small molecules and shield them from impact of the surrounding environment. Encapsulating agent in contrast to complexing agent does not form stable chemical bonds with the small molecules that it confines. Therefore, by the term “encapsulating” is meant “the process of confinement of small molecules within a larger molecule”.

Additionally, inventors of the present invention have undertaken a task to prepare pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic compositions comprising such a novel water-soluble polymer and optionally one or more further excipients.

The cosmetic compositions are made up of the novel water-soluble polymer compound together with other ingredients that are typically present in such cosmetic compositions. The cosmetic compositions may further comprise other compounds possessing, for instance, bactericide, wound healing, antioxidant properties. Thus to obtain a bactericide composition, silver cation is used as a metal exhibiting bactericide activity. To obtain a wound healing composition, copper is used as a metal exhibiting wound healing activity. To obtain an antioxidant composition, lithium is used as a metal, organic-mineral complexes of which exhibit antioxidant activity. The cosmetic compositions can be used for skin correction or for curing the same.

The nutraceutical compositions are made up of the novel water-soluble polymer compound together with other ingredients that are typically present in such nutraceutical compositions. The nutraceutical compositions may further comprise nutrients. As nutrients (dietary minerals vital for a living organism), such macro-elements as, for instance, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and other and/or such micro-elements as, for instance, lithium, silver, zinc, copper, manganese, palladium and other can be used. The nutraceutical compositions can be used for restoration of nutritional balance.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprise in some embodiments the novel water-soluble polymer compound, whereas in other embodiments the pharmaceutical compositions comprise a composite substance comprising the novel water-soluble polymer compound and a metal cation. The pharmaceutical compositions may additionally comprise an anticancer agent, which may be selected from the Group L of the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. Good examples of such anticancer agents are Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Goserelin, Tamoxifen, Filgrastim, interferon-alpha, interleukin. The pharmaceutical composition can be used for therapy, prophylaxis or modification of diseases. Examples of excipients that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention include compounds selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, humectants or mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are preferably formulated so as to be administered by the oral, mucosal or linguistic route. Hence, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are preferably formulated as tablets, lozenges, chewing gums, liquid viscous pastes, firm candies or lollipops or as chewable candies or gelled drops.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a composite substance, which comprises the novel water-soluble polymer compound and a metal cation. Among the types of composite substances mentioned above, strongest interest is drawn by composite substances containing the polymer and a platinum compound or those containing the polymer and a molybdenum compound.

It is known that bivalent platinum complexes, which distinguish themselves in having a square-planar structure, that is such a structure where the platinum ion occupies central position and ligands are placed on the sides of the square laying in the same plane, are the most potent anti-tumour compounds. In such compositions, valence angle of the platinum coordination ion exactly matches the distance between neighbouring guanine molecules of the DNA, which allows it to inhibit synthesis of the latter through formation of intrastrand adducts. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride, potassium tetrachloroplatinate or mixtures thereof are used as the bivalent platinum complexes for synthesis of a composite substance.

The present invention is also directed to a process of preparing the composite substance according to the present invention. According to the invention, such a composite substance comprising the polymer compound of the present invention and a platinum (II) square-planar coordination compound may be obtained by exposing the substance to wave radiation and more particularly to ultrasound treatment with a power density in the range of 0.5-5 W/cm³ and a frequency in the range of 18-66 kHz for 1 to 30 minutes until the content of unbound platinum (i.e. platinum, which has not reacted with the polymer) falls below 25% of its original quantity.

In the next step the composite substance is undergoing thermostating (i.e. storage under specific temperature conditions) for 1 to 30 days at 2° C. to 40° C. until the portion of unbound platinum falls below 10% of its original quantity and formation of complex between platinum (II) square-planar coordination compound and the polymer is accomplished.

In a final step, the composite substance undergoes purification in order to obtain a product suitable for pharmaceutical application. Purification may comprise one or more purifying processes such as sterilizing filtration, autoclaving or irradiation.

In the composite substance, platinum is encapsulated or forms complex with one of the following structures of the polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids:

where the structures a, b, c and d represent moieties of the aromatic components and structure e represents a moiety of the aliphatic components mentioned above.

Presence of these structures is demonstrated by characteristic IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹. Whereas, intensity of the peaks at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids due to bond formation between the polymer and platinum.

Empirical formula of the platinum-containing composite substance was established using the ¹³C NMR (brutto formula) and 2D NMR methods, according to which it is composed of individual repeated fragments of the polymer: (C₃H₂O), (C₂H₂O), (CH₂). Due to the fact that in solutions the polymer compound exists only in the form of colloidal micelles it is difficult to establish its true molecular mass. Precise molecular formula of the polymer has not been established yet and thus more specific coefficients cannot be instantiated in its brutto formula. According to the present invention composition of the platinum-containing composite substance is represented by the following general formula:

(C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(Pt(NH₃)₂)_(x4).

At that, the following stoichiometric ratios are respected at x₄=1, x₁≦12, x₂≦9 and x₃≦33. This brutto formula describes 1500-2000 Da fragment of the composite substance. When a composite substance of a larger or a smaller molecular weight is obtained, the x₁, x₂, x₃ and x₄ coefficients are changed proportionally. At that, they remain natural positive full or fractional numbers.

The best mode for preparing the composite substance comprising the polymer compound and a platinum compound is described in Example 2.

The present invention also relates to a drug comprising the polymer compound and a platinum (II) compound.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug of polymer compound and platinum (II) compound. This pharmaceutical composition may optionally comprise one or more further excipients. Preferably, the one or more further excipients are selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, humectants and mixtures thereof.

The drug and the pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug can be used in the treatment of a disease such as in the treatment of various types of cancer including metastatic breast cancer. Examples of cancers that can be treated by the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, urinary bladder cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and head and neck cancer. The drug and pharmaceutical composition may also be used in prophylaxis or palliative care of a mammal suffering of cancer or for modifying the said cancer. By the term “modifying the said cancer” as used herein is meant the situation where the drug does not ensure direct anticancer effect, but affects development of the disease and/or changes quality of life of the cancer patient. The drug may be administered by any usual route of administration, but preferably the administration route is parenteral, enteral or topical and in case of parenteral administration, intramuscular injections are preferred. The mammals to be treated are in one embodiment non-food producing species. Preferably the said non-food producing species may be selected among human beings, dogs, cats and horses.

When used in the treatment of cancer, pharmaceutical compositions based on the composite substance ensure significant inhibition of tumour growth in preclinical trials and clinical trials in human beings (Example 3).

Inventors of the present invention also obtained a range of composite substances based on the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound. Preferably, the molybdenum compound was selected among such molybdenum acid salts as ammonium molybdate, ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate, potassium molybdate, sodium molybdate, sodium molybdate di-hydrate and mixtures thereof.

In the composite substance, molybdenum is encapsulated or forms complex with one of the following structures of the polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids:

where the structures a, b, c and d represent moieties of the aromatic components and structure e represents a moiety of the aliphatic components mentioned above.

Presence of these structures is demonstrated by characteristic IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹. At that intensity of the peaks at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids due to bond formation between the polymer and molybdenum.

According to the present invention, composition of the molybdenum-containing composite substance can be represented by the following general formula:

(C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(MoO₃)_(x4)(H₂O)_(x5)(NH₄)_(x6).

At that, the following stoichiometric ratios are respected: at x₄=1.5, x₁≦12, x₂≦9 and x₃≦33, x₅≦2 and x₆≦2. This brutto formula describes 1500-2000 Da fragment of the composite substance. When a composite substance of a larger or a smaller molecular weight is obtained, the x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅ and x₆ coefficients are changed proportionally. At that, they remain natural positive full or fractional numbers.

The present invention is also directed to a process of preparing the composite substance according to the present invention. According to the invention, such a composite substance comprising the polymer compound of the present invention and a molybdenum compound may be obtained by exposing the substance to wave radiation and more particularly to ultrasound treatment with a power density in the range of 0.5-5 W/cm³ and a frequency in the range of 18-66 kHz for 1 to 30 minutes until the content of unbound molybdenum (molybdenum, which has not reacted with the polymer) falls below 25% of its original quantity.

In the next step the composite substance is undergoing thermostating (i.e. storage under specific temperature conditions) for 1 to 30 days at 2° C. to 40° C. until the portion of unbound molybdenum falls below 10% of its original quantity and formation of complex between molybdenum compound and the polymer is accomplished.

In the final step, the composite substance undergoes purification in order to obtain a product suitable for pharmaceutical application. Purification may comprise one or more purifying processes such as sterilizing filtration, autoclaving or irradiation.

The best mode of preparing the composite substance comprising the polymer and a molybdenum compound is described in Example 4.

The present invention also relates to a drug comprising the polymer compound and a molybdenum compound.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug of polymer compound and molybdenum compound. This pharmaceutical composition may optionally comprise one or more further excipients. Preferably, the one or more further excipients is selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents and humectants.

The drug and the pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug can be used in the treatment of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease such as for example, carcinogenesis induced by radiation or caused by natural ageing of cells. The drug and pharmaceutical composition may also be used in palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease such as for example, carcinogenesis induced by radiation or caused by natural ageing of cells or for modifying the said disease. By the term “modifying the said disease” as used herein is meant the situation where the drug does not ensure direct cure, but affects development of the disease and/or changes quality of life of the patient. The drug may be administered by the oral route. The mammals to be treated are in one embodiment non-food producing species. Preferably the said non-food producing species may be selected among human beings, dogs, cats and horses.

Example 5 discloses results of the studies of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the polymer compound and the molybdenum compound, where the said pharmaceutical composition is used to induce cell response.

EXAMPLES

The invention is further illustrated with reference to the following examples, which are not intended to be in any way limiting the scope of the present invention.

Comparative Example 1A Method of Producing Humic Acids as Disclosed in RU2182482 and Characterisation of the Said Compound

For comparison purpose known humic acids according to example 1 of the Russian patent RU 2182482 were prepared and characterized as described below.

Preparation

Hydrolysed lignin—non-specific enteral sorbent (available under the trade-name of “Polyphepanum”, Scientek Ltd) was used as starting material.

A solution of 1 kg of starting material, 100 g of sodium hydroxide and 8.1 kg of water was treated for one hour in oxidation reactor equipped with mechanical stirring mechanism at a temperature of 160° C., a pressure of 2.5 MPa and with supply of oxygen in an amount of 5 l/min. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and the solid residue was removed by filtration. pH of the filtrate, an alkaline solution containing humic substances, was adjusted to 2-3 using sulphuric acid. Residues of the humic acids were isolated using filtration and sequentially rinsed with distilled water and a water-alcohol mixture until a pH of 6.0-6.5 was obtained. The resulting product was then dried at a temperature of 105° C. until a homogenous mass was obtained.

Characterisation

The humic acids prepared as described above were characterized as follows.

Ash (mineral impurities): 13.5%

Elementary composition: C 67.0%, H 4.0%, N 1.0%, O 0.28%

Low molecular impurities: identified by the following ¹³C NMR peaks: 168.5 ppm (carbonate-anion), 171 (formate-anion), 173 (oxalate-anion), 181-182 ppm (acetate-anion). Total amount of identified impurities constituted 4.1% of dry weight.

The structure of the humic acids was analysed using ¹³C NMR. The result is presented in Table 1 below and in FIG. 1.

TABLE 1 Result of ¹³C NMR analysis INTEGRAL INTENSITIES, % ± STANDARD DEVIATIONS 0-48 108-145 165-187 187-200 18.0 ± 2.5 29.0 ± .2.1 13.0 ± 0.3 8.0 ± 3

Example 1B Method of Producing the Water-Soluble Polymer Compound of Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids of the Present Invention and Characterisation of the Said Compound Preparation

Hydrolysed lignin—non-specific enteral sorbent (available under the trade-name of “Polyphepanum”, Scientek Ltd) was used as starting material.

This starting material has the following physical-chemical characteristic: pH of 6.5, moisture content of 66.63%, content of polysaccharides equals 25%, content of lignin equals 72.5%, water-soluble compounds equal 1.5% per dry weight.

Step a: 0.998 kg of Polyphephanum was placed in a 15-liter vessel and 6 kg of distilled water were added. The mixture was stirred thoroughly.

Step b: Approximately 2 litres of a 50% sodium hydroxide solution were intermittently added to the mixture of step a to obtain pH 13. The suspension was then subjected to alkaline treatment in a 10 litres oxidative-hydrolytic destruction reactor. When the temperature and pressure reached 160° C. and 2.2 MPa, respectively, the air supply was reduced to 5 dm³/min and treatment continued for 2 more hours to ensure complete hydrolysis and oxidation of the insoluble lignin. The resulting product, a solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids, was then isolated from the solid residue using press-filter.

Step c: The solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids obtained in step b was then treated with hydrochloric acid until a pH of 1-2 was obtained and then subjected to the effect of centrifugal forces for 15 minutes at 2500 rpm to induce polymerization of benzene polycarboxylic acids through the density gradient. Densified crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids was thus obtained.

Step d: The crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids was then placed in 3.5 kDa dialysis tubes and dialyzed against distilled water until the quantity of low-molecular impurities, detected with ¹³C NMR or another representative method (for instance, gas chromatography), reached 1% of dry weight of the polymer. The final purified polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids was obtained.

The final purified polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids was then dried for further characterization.

Characterization

The polymer obtained in step d was characterized as follows.

Description: black crystals.

Identity: IR spectrum absorption bands at: 3400-3600 cm⁻¹ (OH), 1050 cm⁻¹ (C—O), 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ (OH). 2800-3000 cm⁻¹ region contains absorption band with peaks at 2928 and 2853 cm⁻¹, corresponding to valent vibrations of CH-groups in CH₃ and CH₂. More or less expressed absorption peak was identified at 1750 cm⁻¹, corresponding to vibrations of C═O groups. IR-spectrum of the polymer is presented on FIG. 2.

Solid residue: 93.25%

Ash (mineral impurities): 0.67%

Chlorides: below 0.03%

Heavy metals: below 0.001%

Elementary composition: C 62.5%, H 3.8%, N 0.18%, O 33.7%

Low molecular impurities: were identified with the following peaks of ¹³C NMR spectrum: 168.5 ppm (carbonate-anion), 171 (formate-anion), 173 (oxalate-anion), 181-182 ppm (acetate-anion). Total amount of identified impurities constituted 0.8% per dry weight.

The structure of the polymer compound was analysed using ¹³C NMR. The result is presented in Table 2 below and on FIG. 3.

TABLE 2 Result of ¹³C NMR analysis INTEGRAL INTENSITIES, % ± STANDARD DEVIATIONS 0-48 108-145 165-187 187-200 17.4 ± 1.7 41.1 ± 0.2 6.0 ± 0.5 2.0 ± 0

Dimeric homo- and hetero-nuclear spectra were additionally obtained for the polymer of the present invention (FIG. 4). Peak assignment results are presented in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Dimeric homo- and hetero-nuclear spectra of the polymer of the present invention. F1 F2 d (1H) or d (1H), d (13C), ppm ppm Structural fragments Description ¹H,¹H—COSY 1.2-1.5 1.2-1.5 —CH_(n)—CH_(n)— Alkyl 1.2-1.8 3.7-4.2 —CH_(n)—CH_(n)O— Aliphatic alcohols 1.5-2.2 1.5-2.2 —CH_(n)—CH_(n)—C_(f) Alkyl, substituted with 2.2-2.6 2.2-2.6 C_(f)—CH_(n)—CH_(n)—C_(f) aromatic rings or carboxylic groups 2.2-2.3 3.7; 4.2 —CH_(n)O—CH_(n)—C_(f) Aliphatic alcohols, substituted with aromatic rings or carboxylic groups 3.4-3.8 3.4-3.8 —CH_(n)O—CH_(n)O— Aliphatic alcohols ¹H,¹H—TOCSY 1.2-2.2 1.2-2.2 —CH_(n)— . . . —CH_(n)— Alkyl 1.9-2.8 1.9-2.8 C_(f)—CH_(n)— . . . —CH_(n)—C_(f) Alkyl, substituted with aromatic rings or carboxylic groups 1.2-1.8 3.2-4.0 —CH_(n)— . . . —CH_(n)O— Aliphatic alcohols 2.9-3.9 2.9-3.9 —CH_(n)O— . . . —CH_(n)O— ²H,¹³C-HSQC 1.1-1.9 17-32 CH_(n) Alkyl 1.7-2.4 32-42 CH_(n)—C_(f) Alkyl, substituted with aromatic rings or carboxylic groups 3.0-4.2 53-73 CH_(n)O Aliphatic alcohols, methoxyl 7.2-7.8 110-130 C_(ar)—OH Phenolic

According to data obtained from the NMR analysis, the polymer of this invention can be characterized as an aromatic core substituted with alkyl, methoxy, alcohol and hydroxy, as well as carboxy groups practically in all positions. As it can be seen from the Table 3, 4.5 to 6 atoms of aliphatic carbon correspond to 6 carbon atoms of aromatic carbon. At that, the following structural fragments are repeated: (C₃H₂O), (C₂H₂O), (CH₂).

Molecular weight of the claimed polymer was analysed using the gel-filtration method. Molecular weight of a fragment of the claimed polymer thus established constituted 1.5 kDa. The following structural formula was calculated based on the molecular weight, data from the elementary composition and the NMR analysis:

(C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3),

where x1≦12, x2≦9, x3≦33

Monomers of the polymer of the present invention were also studied using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR-MS) (FIG. 5) (Table 4).

TABLE 4 High abundance monomers identified in the polymer of the present invention Mass Ab. DBE O/C H/C Brutto-formula Name Saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids: 227.2017  28015291  1.5 0.143 2    C14H28O2 Tetradecanoic 255.2329 270821660  1.5 0.125 2    C16H32O2 hexadecanoic (palmitic) 269.2486  59100516  1.5 0.118 2    C17H34O2 Heptadecanoic 271.2279  67014157  1.5 0.188 2    C16H32O3 Hydroxyhexadecanoic 283.2642  82866764  1.5 0.111 2    C18H36O2 Octadecanoic (stearic) 299.2592  19214471  1.5 0.167 2    C18H36O3 Hydroxyoctadecanoic 311.2956  19002772  1.5 0.1  2    C20H39O2 eicosanoic (arachidic) 315.2541  18526027  1.5 0.222 2    C18H36O4 Dihydroxyoctadecanoic 327.2905  16100520  1.5 0.15  2    C20H39O3 Hydroxyeicosanoic 331.249   59016821  1.5 0.278 2    C18H36O5 Trihydrohyoctadecanoic 339.3268  45615662  1.5 0.091 2    C22H44O2 docosanoic (behenic) 353.3425  17780922  1.5 0.087 2    C23H46O2 Tricosanoic 355.3218  37040552  1.5 0.136 2    C22H44O3 Hydroxydocosanoic 367.3581  96229191  1.5 0.083 2    C24H48O2 tetracosanoic (lignoceric) 381.3738  33496500  1.5 0.08  2    C25H50O2 pentacosanoic (behenic) 383.3531  24354456  1.5 0.125 2    C24H48O3 Hydroxytetracosanoic 395.3894  47932385  1.5 0.077 2    C26H52O2 hexacosanoic (cerotinic) 397.3687  5537977  1.5 0.12  2    C25H50O3 Hydroxypentacosanoic Monounsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids 253.2173  94496905  2.5 0.125 1.875 C16H30O2 Hexadecenoic 267.233   25781436  2.5 0.118 1.882 C17H32O2 Heptadecenoic 281.2486 464974220  2.5 0.111 1.889 C18H34O2 octadecenoic (oleic) 297.2435 147552180  2.5 0.167 1.889 C18H34O3 Hydroxyoctadecenoic 309.2799  18244791  2.5 0.1  1.9  C20H38O2 Eicosenoic 313.2384  67067499  2.5 0.222 1.889 C18H34O4 Dihydroxyoctadecenoic 341.2697  20568853  2.5 0.2  1.9  C20H38O4 Dihydroxyeicosenoic 345.2283  15144174  2.5 0.333 1.889 C18H34O6 Tetrahydroxyoctadecenoi 369.301   22943789  2.5 0.182 1.909 C22H42O4 Dihydroxydocosenoic Polyunsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids (high abundance): 299.2016 260077700  7.5 0.1  1.4  C20H28O2

275.2017  19416936  5.5 0.111 1.556 C18H28O2

277.2173  26976285  4.5 0.111 1.667 C18H30O2

293.2122  25597466  4.5 0.167 1.667 C18H30O3

309.2071  20667567  4.5 0.222 1.667 C18H30O4

279.2329  90009812  3.5 0.111 1.778 C18H32O2

311.2228 120864140  3.5 0.222 1.778 C18H32O4

327.2177  55125151  3.5 0.278 1.778 C18H32O5

301.2173 148273490  6.5 0.1  1.5  C20H30O2

317.2122  21897255  6.5 0.15  1.5  C20H30O3

Aromatic components (high abundance): 273.0769  17358509  9.5 0.333 0.933 C15H14O5

299.0561  12935282 11.5 0.375 0.75  C16H12O6

301.0718  54827333 10.5 0.375 0.875 C16H14O6

313.0718  10849880 11.5 0.353 0.824 C17H14O6

315.051  14450485 11.5 0.438 0.75  C16H12O7

315.0874  33201977 10.5 0.353 0.941 C17H16O6

329.0667  14824822 11.5 0.412 0.824 C17H14O7

331.0823  29603426 10.5 0.412 0.941 C17H16O7

343.0823  13065197 11.5 0.389 0.889 C18H16O7

341.0667  11490045 12.5 0.389 0.778 C18H14O7

355.0823  12398987 12.5 0.368 0.842 C19H16O7

357.0616  10787448 12.5 0.444 0.778 C18H14O8

359.0773  11996010 11.5 0.444 0.889 C18H16O8

371.0772  15370496 12.5 0.421 0.842 C19H16O8

373.0929  13466093 11.5 0.421 0.947 C19H18O8

423.1085  10753758 14.5 0.348 0.87  C24H20O9

Experimental Data

Polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention was further diluted with distilled water to obtain different concentrations and was tested on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) consisting of lymphocytes (70-80%) and monocytes (20-30%) isolated from blood of healthy donors by Lymphoprep centrifugation.

It was established that after 15 days of incubation of the cell culture containing 215 μg/L of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention the latter exerted effect on PBMCs, manifested in increased motility of lymphocytes as well as increased persistence of monocytes, as illustrated on FIG. 7.

Example 2A Method of Preparing an Anticancer Agent According to RU2182482 and Characterisation of the Said Anticancer Agent Preparation

Humic acids prepared in Example 1A according to the method disclosed in RU2182482 were treated with 5% ammonia solution in the amount of 80 ml per 1 g of humic acids, heated on a water bath to remove excess of ammonia, filtered and mixed with 30 volume % of distilled water. Further, the resulting solution in the form of salts of humic acids was treated with potassium tetrachloroplatinate in the amount of 0.27 mass % per 1 g of humic acids salts and exposed to acoustic cavitation at 40 W/cm² and 22 kHz for 4 minutes. Water was used to adjust volume of the solution to 100 ml.

Experiment 2A-1

The anticancer agent thus obtained was administered subcutaneously in the amount of 62.5 mg/kg b.w. to mice with inoculated Ehrlich tumour. Tumour was inoculated subcutaneously in the amount of 10⁷ cells. Treatment was started 48 hours after tumour inoculation. Injections were given in the amount of 0.3 ml/mouse three times a week for 3 weeks (total of 9 injections). Control group was given isotonic sodium chloride solution according to the same dosing regimen. 60% survival (6 of 10 animals) and 50% tumour growth inhibition compared to the untreated control were registered in the experiment.

Mortality of animals was caused by toxicity of the platinum compound unbound to humic acids.

Example 2B Method of Producing the Composite Substance Comprising Platinum (II) of the Present Invention and Characterisation of the Said Composite Substance Preparation

Step a: 4.529 grams of dry polymer produced by the method described in Example 1B were diluted in 1 litre of distilled water and pH was adjusted to 9.2 using 10% ammonia solution. 0.8373 g of cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride was added to the solution. The resulting solution was subjected to ultrasound treatment at 3.5 W/cm³ and 22 kHz until the content of unbound platinum fell below 25% of the original quantity.

Method of Detection of Unbound Platinum

-   -   Completeness of formation of the platinum complex was controlled         using cellulose dialysis membranes with standard 500-1000 Da         pores. This size of the pores makes it possible for the platinum         compound to penetrate through the membrane, while it prevents         the claimed polymer of 1500 Da and consequently its complex with         the platinum from doing the same.     -   To perform the test dialysis tubes were filled with 8 ml samples         of the composite substance collected during the ultrasound         treatment and dipped into vessels filled with distilled water         for 4 hours to accommodate the dialysis.     -   0.8373 g of cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride were diluted in         1 litre of distilled water to obtain model solution (control         solution). Amount of platinum transferred from the model         solution into dialysate was taken as 100%.     -   Concentration of free platinum measured in dialysate of the         model solution constituted 76 mg/l (100%), while concentration         of the same in dialysate of the composite substance of this         invention constituted 18 mg/l (24%).

Step b: Further, the reaction mixture, comprising the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride was subjected to thermostating at 40° C. for 24 hours to accommodate completion of formation of the desired complex. The thermostating was continued until concentration of unbound platinum (established with the above-described method) fell below 10% of the quantity added on step a.

Step c: Further, the crude composite substance of step b was purified from mechanical inclusions using 10.0 μm polypropylene filter and then used for preparation of a pharmaceutical composition as described in Example 3.

Experiment 2B-1

The composite substance thus obtained was administered subcutaneously in the amount of 62.5 mg/kg b.w. to animals with inoculated Ehrlich tumour. Tumour was inoculated subcutaneously in the amount of 10⁷ cells. Treatment was started 48 hours after tumour inoculation. Injections were given in the amount of 0.3 ml/mouse three times a week for 3 weeks (total of 9 injections). Control group was given isotonic sodium chloride solution according to the same dosing regimen. 100% survival (10 of 10 animals) and 65% tumour growth inhibition compared to the untreated control were registered in the experiment.

Better safety and efficacy of the composite substance compared to the anticancer agent of RU2182482 were the result of a better complexation of the platinum compound within the claimed composite substance.

Characterisation

The formation of the novel complex of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids with cis-diammineplatinum (II) dichloride was further investigated using Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure analysis (EXAFS) (see FIG. 6). Significant differences between the claimed composite substance comprising the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids of the present invention and cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride, the inorganic cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride (denoted in the spectrum as “Cisplatin”) and cis-diammine(cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate-O,O′)platinum(II) (denoted on the figure as “Carboplatin”) can be seen on the EXAFS spectrum.

The composite substance of the present invention is characterized by the following characteristic absorption bands of the IR spectrum: 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹, where the intensity of the 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ bands of the composite substance is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.

Based on the data derived with the ¹³C NMR and EXAFS methods the following brutto formula of the composite substance was calculated: (C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(Pt(NH₃)₂)_(x4), where x₁, x₂, x₃ and x₄ are the coefficients representing any natural positive full or fractional number.

Example 3 Description of Nonclinical and Clinical Data that Supports Use of Pharmaceutical Composition Based on the Composite Substance Comprising the Water-Soluble Polymer Compound of Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids and a Pt Compound and Characterisation of the Same Preparation

The 0.5% composite substance prepared in accordance with Example 2B was used as the basis for obtaining a pharmaceutical composition additionally comprising such excipients as the solvent in the form of isotonic sodium chloride solution to obtain 0.05% pharmaceutical composition and the buffering agent in the form of hydrochloric acid to obtain pH of 7 to 8. Pharmaceutical composition was obtained through mechanical stirring of the composite substance and excipients at constant monitoring of the pH. Pharmaceutical composition was additionally purified using sterilizing filtration.

The pharmaceutical composition thus obtained can be used for parenteral (subcutaneous or intramuscular) administration.

Characterisation

Pharmaceutical composition was characterized by the methods described in the 6^(th) edition of the European Pharmacopoeia, as follows:

Description: transparent, dark-brown liquid

pH: 7.27

Identity: characteristic IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹, with intensity of the peaks at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.

Content of platinum: 0.0049%

Sterility: sterile

Toxicity: non-toxic at 0.1 mg per mouse

Pyrogenicity: non-pyrogenic in dose 1.3 mg/kg b.w., intramuscular (rabbit test)

Non-Clinical Data

Antitumor efficacy of the claimed pharmaceutical composition was evaluated in autochthonous spontaneous mammary tumours in HER-2/neu female mice characterized by elevated levels of expression of HER-2/neu oncogene, epidermal growth factor and high probability of spontaneous development of multiple mammary neoplasms.

According to the chosen design, when diameter of mammary tumours has grown to at least 5 mm animals were randomized between control and experiment groups. The claimed pharmaceutical composition was injected subcutaneously in two doses (62.5 mg/kg b.w. and 3.0 mg/kg b.w.) 3 times a week until decease of animals.

Percentage of 7-14 days remissions in animals treated with 62.5 mg/kg b.w. or 3 mg/kg b.w. of the claimed pharmaceutical composition constituted 13% and 12% respectively (results were statistically significant) against 0% in the control group. This is a good indication of efficacy of the claimed pharmaceutical composition in treatment of mammary tumours that can be extrapolated to human beings and non-food producing animal species.

Clinical Data

Phase lb clinical study of the claimed drug was performed in 8 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients were given 1 daily injection of the drug for 32 days. Evaluated cumulative dose-window constituted from 0.96 mg/kg b.w. to 1.12 mg/kg b.w.

The following results were obtained using the claimed pharmaceutical composition: 1 complete response (disappearance of all metastases), 1 partial response (greater than 25% reduction of size of metastases), 3 stable diseases (change of the size of metastases between −25% and 25%) and 3 progressive diseases (larger than 25% increase of the size of metastases).

These results are a good indication of clinical efficacy of the claimed pharmaceutical composition in treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Altogether 78 adverse events were registered in the study. None of the registered adverse events was serious. Adverse events were mainly mild or moderate and only 2% of the 78 adverse events were related to the claimed pharmaceutical composition.

Besides, reduction of the number of side effects was observed in response to increase of the treatment dose of the claimed pharmaceutical composition. This data is a good indication of outstanding safety of the claimed pharmaceutical composition and its potential in palliative therapy of, for instance, terminal patients.

It was additionally established that the claimed pharmaceutical composition aids in normalisation of blood parameters. Thus, by the end of the follow up period the following blood parameters were normalized: haemoglobin in 2 of the 4 patients, erythrocytes in 2 of the 3 patients, thrombocytes in 1 of the 3 patients, leucocytes in 3 of the 5 patients, neutrophils in 3 of the 3 patients and lymphocytes in 1 patient, compared to the levels registered at the screening.

This data is a good indication that the claimed pharmaceutical composition can be efficiently used for modification of the main disease such as, for instance, cancer.

Example 4 Method of Producing the Composite Substance Comprising the Water-Soluble Polymer Compound of Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids and a Molybdenum Compound and Characterisation of the Said Composite Substance

Step a: 15 grams of dry polymer produced by the method described in Example 1B were diluted in 1 litre of distilled water, pH was adjusted to 9.2 using approximately 15 ml of 10% ammonia solution. Further, the solution was heated to 60° C. and stirred for 1.5 hours to remove excess ammonia. 5 g of ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate were added and the resulting solution was subjected to ultrasound treatment at 3.5 W/cm³ and 22 kHz until the content of unbound molybdenum fell below 25% of the original quantity.

Method of Detection of Unbound Molybdenum:

-   -   Completeness of formation of the molybdenum complex was         controlled using cellulose dialysis membranes with standard         500-1000 Da pores. This size of the pores allows the molybdenum         compound to leave through the membrane, while it prevents the         claimed polymer of 1500 Da and consequently its complex with         molybdenum from doing the same.     -   To perform the test dialysis tubes were filled with 8 ml samples         of the composite substance collected during the ultrasound         treatment and dipped into vessels filled with distilled water         for 4 hours to accommodate the dialysis.     -   5 g of ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate were diluted in 1 litre         of distilled water to obtain model solution (control solution).         Amount of molybdenum transferred from the model solution into         dialysate was taken as 100%.     -   Concentration of free/unbound molybdenum in dialysate of the         model solution constituted 52 mg/l (100%), while concentration         of the same in dialysate of the composite substance of this         invention constituted 11 mg/l (21%).

Step b: Further, the composite substance comprising the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate of step a was subjected to thermostating at 40° C. for 24 hours to accommodate completion of formation of the desired complex. The thermostating was continued until concentration of unbound molybdenum (established with the above-described method) fell below 10% of the quantity added on step a.

Step c: The crude composite substance of step b was purified from mechanical inclusions using 10.0 μm polypropylene filter and used for preparation of a pharmaceutical composition as described in Example 5.

Characterisation

Composite substance is characterized by the following characteristic absorption bands of the IR spectrum: 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹, where the intensity of the 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ bands of the composite substance is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.

Based on the data derived with ¹³C NMR method the following brutto formula of the composite substance was calculated:

(C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(MoO₃)_(x4)(H₂O)_(x5)(NH₄)_(x6),

where x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅ and x₆ are the coefficients representing any natural positive full or fractional number.

Example 5 Description of Experimental Data that Supports Clinical Use of Pharmaceutical Composition Based on the Composite Substance Comprising the Water-Soluble Polymer Compound of Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids and a Molybdenum Compound and Characterisation of the Same Preparation

The composite substance prepared in accordance with Example 4 was used as the basis for obtaining a pharmaceutical composition additionally comprising distilled water as a solvent. For that 0.55% composite substance was mixed with distilled water in 1:40 ratio and stirred mechanically. The pharmaceutical composition thus obtained can be used for peroral administration.

Characterisation

Pharmaceutical composition was characterized by the methods described in the 6^(th) edition of the European Pharmacopoeia as follows:

Description: Non-transparent, dark-brown liquid

pH: 8.27

Identity: IR with absorbance bands in: 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹ regions with intensity of 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ bands of the pharmaceutical composition smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.

Bioburden: less than 100 cfu/g

Toxicity: non-toxic in dose 0.1 mg per mouse

Pyrogenicity: non-pyrogenic in dose 1.3 mg/kg b.w., intramuscular (rabbit test)

Experimental Data

Pharmaceutical composition based on the composite substance comprising the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound was further diluted with distilled water to obtain different concentrations and was tested on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) consisting of lymphocytes (70-80%) and monocytes (20-30%) isolated from blood of healthy donors by Lymphoprep centrifugation.

It was established that after 11 days of incubation of the cell culture containing 35 and 215 μg/L of the pharmaceutical composition the latter exerted effect on PBMCs, manifested in increased motility of lymphocytes as well as increased persistence of monocytes.

Effect of the pharmaceutical composition on a panel of cytokines produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed in the same series of experiments. It was established that after 11 days of incubation of the cell culture production of INF-gamma grows from 0-75 pg/ml in the control group to 2000-3000 pg/ml in groups treated with the pharmaceutical composition; production of TNF-alfa grows from 0 in the control group to 400-650 pg/ml in groups treated with the pharmaceutical composition.

This data is a good indication that the pharmaceutical composition can be efficiently used for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases associated with cell cycle disruption (for example, carcinogenesis induced by radiation or caused by natural ageing of cells).

Example 6 Description of Experimental Data that Supports Clinical Use of a Pharmaceutical Composition Based on the Composite Substance Comprising the Water-Soluble Polymer Compound of Benzenepolycarboxylic Acids and a Molybdenum Compound in Reducing/Minimising Side Effects Associated with Conventional Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy Patient Characteristics:

The patient of this study was a 64 years old woman with a long history of gastrointestinal problems. Colon cancer with local metastasis to the lymph nodes was diagnosed in May 2012 and surgery was recommended and performed in June same year. Due to different circumstances, she had to be re operated two times. The patient was first time evaluated for start chemotherapy by the end of August.

Results and Procedure:

The laboratory results related to the first evaluation detected a substantially low Serum Albumin in combination with low Haemoglobin, Leucocytes, Neutrophil granulocytes and Lymphocytes. Additionally, the laboratory analysis detected reduced Eosinophil, ALAT, ASAT and Alkaline Phosphatases (Table 5). The responsible Oncologist avoided start of Chemotherapy and new evaluation had to be performed within two weeks. During this period, the patient was daily given 20 ml of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the new benzene polycarboxylic acids complex with molybdenum. The composition was administered orally. The laboratory results taken at the second evaluation showed normalization in Albumin; substantially increase in the level of Haemoglobin, Leucocytes, Neutrophil granulocytes and Lymphocytes and Eosinophil. Additionally, both ALAT and ASAT levels were increased. The Chemotherapy was started immediately.

Chemotherapy Treatment:

The patient was given two days injections 12 time with a rest period of two weeks between each chemotherapy treatment. Blood samples for laboratory analysis were taken after each treatment. Additionally, the patient filled out the Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire C-30 in the mid part of some of the rest periods.

The patient was given 20 ml orally administrated composition of the present invention (i.e. the composite substance comprising the water-soluble polymer compound of benzenepolycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum compound) two weeks before and the first week after the first two days of injection.

One week before and one week after the second injection period, no composition of the present invention was available. The treatment with the composition of the present invention was restarted one week after the second injection period and given daily before and after the following three injection periods. One week before the sixth injection period, the patient again runs out of composition of the present invention. This additional treatment was again started just before the seventh treatment period and out the remaining part of the 12 chemotherapy treatment periods.

The QoL questionnaire C-30 was filled out by the patient after the first treatment period and the second treatment period. Additionally, the questionnaire was filled out after the fifth, the sixth and the seventh treatment period.

Results Laboratory Variable:

Serum Albumin was found to low for starting the chemotherapy treatment. Initially, it was found as low as 28 (Table 5), but increased to 39 after 10 days treatment with the composition of the present invention. This value was kept also during the first chemotherapy treatment period with additional treatment with the composition of the present invention. The Albumin was slightly reduced during both the second and the sixth chemotherapy treatment without additional treatment with the composition of the present invention compared to the treatment before and after in which the patient was also treated with the composition of the present invention.

Similar pattern is also detected with regards to Haemoglobin, Leucocytes, Granulocytes, Lymphocytes and Eosinophil. All these variables were low before start of chemotherapy, but increase substantially with additional oral treatment with the composition of the present invention in 10 days. These obtained levels were found nearly unchanged during the first chemotherapy treatment period with additional treatment with the composition of the present invention.

TABLE 5 Development in some laboratory variables during the seven first chemotherapy treatment periods. The column given in bold indicate the situation without additional treatment with the composition of the present invention Chemotherapy treatment period Variables Before 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Add. treatment* no yes yes no yes yes yes no yes Haemoglobin 9.4 11.0 11.3 10.3 10.8 10.9 10.2 10.6 10.9 Leucocytes 4.0 7.6 7.2 3.8 5.8 7.1 4.0 3.7 4.8 Granulocytes 2.4 5.1 4.4 2.2 3.7 4.9 2.2 2.2 3.2 Lymphocytes 1.0 1.6 2.0 1.0 1.4 1.4 1.2 0.9 1.1 Eosinophil 0.03 0.09 0.13 0.11 0.07 0.14 0.19 0.12 0.13 ALAT 28 89 66 55 49 29 ASAT 25 111 43 51 Albumin 28 39 40 37 41 38 39 *Add treatment indicates whether the composition of the present invention was administered together with chemotherapy; “yes” indicates that the composition of the present invention was administered in that period, whereas “no” indicates that the composition of the present invention was not administered in that period

The second chemotherapy treatment period was performed without administration of the composition of the present invention and all the above described variables were again found reduced. The three following chemotherapy periods were performed with additional administration of the composition of the present invention and Haemoglobin, Leucocytes, Granulocytes and Lymphocytes increased again to the previous levels. Nearly the similar pattern was also detected for Eosinophil except for the third treatment period. The sixth chemotherapy treatment period was as the second also performed without additional administration of the composition of the present invention and nearly the same happen again.

ALAT and ASAT were only measured before start and during the two first chemotherapy treatment periods. However, the same pattern as described for the haematological variables above was indicated.

Quality of Life Questionnaire C-30:

The sum of C-30 was found reduced with 53% from the rest period after the first chemotherapy treatment with additional administration of the composition of the present invention to the rest period after the second chemotherapy treatment without additional administration of the composition of the present invention. The similar pattern was also detected in the rest period after the fifth, sixth and seventh chemotherapy treatment. From the fifth with additional administration of the composition of the present invention to the sixth without, the Sum C-30 was reduced with 48% and increase with 58% from the sixth to the seventh with additional administration of the composition of the present invention.

Conclusion: Even though this study was only an unstructured case report, it clearly indicates a beneficial effect of compositions of the present invention as a possible supplement treatment to chemotherapy treatment.

Example 7 Study of Viability of Cancer Cells when Treated with Compounds of the Present Invention

The cells studied in this study are

-   -   MCF-7, human breast cancer cells (well differentiated)     -   T47-D human breast cancer cells (poorly differentiated)     -   PI45 human pancreatic cells (poorly differentiated)     -   T24P human bladder cancer (poorly differentiated)     -   SKOV human ovarian cancer cells (poorly differentiated)     -   HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells     -   Fadu human head and neck cancer cells

The cells were treated with:

-   -   the water-soluble polymer compound of benzenepolycarboxylic         acids (referred to in FIGS. 8-13 as “Compound 2”),     -   composite substance comprising the water-soluble polymer         compound of benzenepolycarboxylic acids and a platinum compound         (referred to in FIGS. 8-13 as “Compound 1”), and     -   composite substance, comprising the water-soluble polymer         compound of benzenepolycarboxylic acids and a molybdenum         compound (referred to in FIGS. 8-13 as “Compound 3”) in         different amounts (10-200 μg/well) for 72 hours.

Cell Viability

Cells were plated into 96-well plates (5×10⁴ cells/nil), and on the second day the medium were replaced by medium containing varying concentrations of the compounds/composite substances. After 72 and 96 hours, cell viability was determined using the XTT assay according to the protocol accompanying the kit.

The results are shown in FIGS. 8-11.

The results show that all three compound/composite substances affect the viability of all cell lines. The viability was reduced from 40% to 90% depending on the cell line investigated. The most effective killing effect was seen in human colonic human and human head and neck cancer cells lines and the lowest killing effect was observed by the test substances in ovarian and liver cancer cell lines. See table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Estimated IC50 values for the composite substance comprising platinum Fadu T47D MCF-7 HEPG2 T24P Skov3 PL45 HCT116 (Head & Cell line (Breast) (Breast) (Liver) (Bladder) (Ovary) (Pancrease) (Colon) Neck) IC50 ~490 ~370 ~1700 ~500 ~1000 ~500 ~150 ~150 (μg/ml)

Cytotoxic Activity by Measuring Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

The integrity of the plasma membrane was determined by measuring LDH activity released into the culture medium. LDH activity was monitored following the oxidation of NADH as the decrease in absorbance at 334 nm. The percentage of LDH released was defined as the ratio of LDH activity in the supernatant to the sum of LDH amount released plus the activity measured in the cell lysate.

The results are shown in FIGS. 12-13.

The results show no signs of cellular damage. The same release of LDH from control cells as well as from cells treated with the test substances; i.e. the substances are non-toxic. Cellular damage, such as necrosis, causes an elevation of the LDH concentration in the medium. The integrity of the plasma membrane following treatment was determined by measuring LDH activity released into the culture medium. The enzyme activity was measured using a spectrophotometric method (Moran and Schnellmann 1996). 

1. A water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids characterized by having an elemental composition of 62-67% C, 3.8-4.2% H, 29-34% O, and less than 0.2% N per dry weight and where the sum of other elements is no more than 1% per dry weight.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, which is further characterized by having ¹³C NMR characteristic peaks at 15-22% in the 0-48 ppm range, 30-42% in the 108-145 ppm range, 5-13% in the 165-187 ppm range and 2-8% in the 187-220 ppm range.
 3. The compound according to any of the preceding claims, which is further characterized by comprising no more than 1% low-molecular impurities identified by ¹³C NMR characteristic peaks at 168.5, 171, 173, 181-182 ppm.
 4. The compound according to any of the preceding claims which is further characterized by having IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹.
 5. The compound according to any of the preceding claims, which is further characterized by comprising at least one monomer from each of the groups: saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, saturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, monounsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, monounsaturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, polyunsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids and aromatic components.
 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, octadecenoic acid, eicosanoic acid, docosanoic acid, tricosanoic acid, tetracosanoic acid, pentacosanoic acid and hexacosanoic acid.
 7. The compound according to any of claims 5-6, wherein at least one of the saturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, hydroxyoctadecenoic acid, dihydroxyoctadecenoic acid, hydroxyeicosanoic acid, trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid, hydroxydocosanoic acid, hydroxytetracosanoic acid and hydroxypentacosanoic acid.
 8. The compound according to any of claims 5-7, wherein at least one of the monounsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of hexadecenoic acid, heptadecenoic acid, octadecenoic acid and eicosenoic acid.
 9. The compound according to any of claims 5-8, wherein at least one of the monounsaturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyoctadecenoic acid, dihydroxyoctadecenoic acid, dihydroxyeicosenoic acid, tetrahydroxyoctadecenoic acid and dihydroxydocosenoic acid.
 10. The compound according to any of claims 5-9, wherein at least one of the polyunsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of 13-cis-retinoic acid, 6Z, 9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatetraenoic acid, cis,cis,cis-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid, (9R,13R)-2-oxo-5-pentyl-3-cyclopentene-1-octanoic acid, 9S-hydroperoxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid, C13(S)-hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,11E-dienoic acid, 10S,11S-epoxy-9S-hydroxy-12Z-octadecenoic acid, 9S,12S,13S-trihydroxy-10E,15Z-octadecadienoic acid, 5,6-dehydroarachidonic acid and 15(S)-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,13E,17Z)-eicosapentaenoic acid.
 11. The compound according to any of claims 5-10, wherein at least one of the aromatic components is selected from the group consisting of 3-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester, 5-(furan-2-carbonyloxy)-2-methyl-benzofuran-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 2,6-dimethyl-benzo(1,2-b,4,5-b′)difuran-3,7-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester, 5-(furan-2-carbonyloxy)-2-methyl-benzofuran-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, rhamnetin, methyl ((4-methyl-6-oxo-6h-benzo(c)chromen-3-yl)oxy)acetate hydrate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, sulochrin, 2,6-diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyldibenzofuran-1,3(2H,9bH)-dione, O-acetylsalicylic anhydride, 4-ho-3-((6-ho-benzo(1,3)dioxol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-methyl)-5h-furan-2-one, 2,3-bis-benzoyloxy-succinic acid, methyl 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dioxo-1,3,10,11-tetrahydrobenzo[5,6]cycloocta[1,2-c]furan-4-carboxylate, (1-methoxycarbonylmethoxy-6-oxo-6h-benzo(c)chromen-3-yloxy)-acetic acid methyl ester, atranorin and phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins.
 12. A process for preparing the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids according any of the claims 1-11 comprising the steps of a) providing a lignin-containing starting raw material, b) subjecting the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a to alkaline treatment to obtain a solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids, c) subjecting the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b to acid density gradient treatment to obtain crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids, and d) purifying the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c by removing low-molecular impurities to obtain the purified water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids.
 13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a is produced from conifer trees and has a pH from 5.5 to 7, a moisture content from 50 to 70% and comprises no more than 32% of polysaccharides, no less than 66% of lignin and no more than 2% of water-soluble compounds.
 14. The process according any of claim 12 or 13, wherein the alkaline treatment of step b is performed by reacting an alkaline suspension of lignin-containing starting raw material of step a with oxygen at a pH of 13±0.5 and a pressure of 2.2±0.3 MPa.
 15. The process according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the acid density gradient treatment of step c is performed by subjecting the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b to treatment with a mineral acid to obtain a pH of 1-2 and subsequently to action of centrifugal force.
 16. The process according to any of claims 12-15, wherein the purification in step d is performed by subjecting the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c to one or more purifying processes selected from extraction, flotation, distillation, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, decantation and dialysis.
 17. The compound according to any of claims 1-11 for use in prophylaxis, treatment and modification of human and animal diseases, such as immune, viral, bacterial, fungal and inflammatory diseases.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to any of claims 1-11.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18, wherein the compound according to any of claims 1-11 is present as a starting raw material, as an excipient or as a drug.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 18 to 19, wherein the administration route is oral, mucosal or sublingual.
 21. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a tablet, a lozenge, a chewing gum, a liquid viscous paste, a firm candy or lollipop or a chewable candy or gelled drop.
 22. A cosmetic composition comprising the compound according to any of claims 1-11.
 23. The cosmetic composition according to claim 22, wherein the composition is in the form of a cream or a gel.
 24. The cosmetic composition according to any of claims 22 to 23, wherein the compound according to claims 1-11 is present in form of an anti-inflammatory agent and/or an antioxidant agent.
 25. A nutraceutical composition comprising the compound according to any of claims 1-11.
 26. The nutraceutical composition according to claim 25, wherein the said composition further comprises nutrients.
 27. A composite substance comprising a water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids according to any of the claims 1-11 and a metal cation.
 28. The composite substance according to claim 27, wherein the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids acts as a complexing and/or an encapsulating agent.
 29. The composite substance according to any of claims 27-28, wherein the metal cation is selected from the group of 2s-5s or 3d-5d elements.
 30. The composite substance according to claim 28, wherein the metal cation is selected from the group of elements consisting of platinum, molybdenum, lithium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, silver, palladium and copper.
 31. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the composite substance according to any of claims 27-30.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 31, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises an anti-cancer agent.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 31-32, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises one or more excipients.
 34. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 33, wherein the excipient is selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, humectants and mixtures thereof.
 35. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 31-34 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or modification of a human or an animal disease.
 36. A composite substance comprising the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids according to any of the claims 1-11 and a platinum (II) square planar coordination compound, wherein the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids encapsulates or forms a complex with said platinum (II) compound.
 37. The composite substance according to claim 36, which is characterized by having characteristic IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹, and where the intensity of the peaks at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.
 38. The composite substance according to any of claims 36 and 37, which is further characterized by having a molecular formula of (C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(Pt(NH₃)₂)_(x4), where x1, x2, x3 and x4 are the coefficients representing any natural, positive, full or fractional number.
 39. The composite substance according to claim 38, where x1≦12, x2≦9, x3≦33, and x4=1.
 40. The composite substance according to any of the claims 36-39, which is further characterized in that the platinum compound is either encapsulated by or forms complex with one of the following structures of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids

where the structures a, b, c and d represent moieties of the aromatic components mentioned in claim 11 and structure e represents a moiety of the acids mentioned in claims 7-10.
 41. A process for preparing the composite substance according to any of the claims 36-40 comprising the steps of a1) providing a lignin-containing starting raw material, b1) subjecting the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a1 to alkaline treatment to obtain a solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids, c1) subjecting solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b1 to acid density gradient treatment to obtain a crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids, d1) purifying the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c1 to obtain a purified polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids, e1) reacting the purified polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids obtained in step d1 with a platinum (II) square planar coordination compound to obtain a reaction mixture, f1) thermostating the reaction mixture of step e1 to obtain crude composite substance, and g1) purifying the crude composite substance of step f1 to obtain the composite substance.
 42. The process according to claim 41, wherein the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a1 is produced from conifer trees and has a pH from 5.5 to 7, a moisture content from 50 to 70% and comprises no more than 32% of polysaccharides, no less than 66% of lignin and no more than 2% of water-soluble compounds.
 43. The process according any of the claims 41 and 42, wherein the alkaline treatment of step b1 is performed by reacting an alkaline suspension of lignin-containing material of step a1 with oxygen at a pH of 13±0.5 and a pressure of 2.2±0.3 MPa.
 44. The process according to any of the claims 41-43, wherein the acid density gradient treatment of step c1 is performed by subjecting the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b1 to treatment with a mineral acid to obtain a pH of 1-2 and subsequently to action of centrifugal force.
 45. The process according to any of claims 41-44, wherein the purifying in step d1 is performed by subjecting the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c1 to one or more purifying processes selected from extraction, flotation, distillation, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, decantation and dialysis.
 46. The process according to any of the claims 41-45, wherein the square planar coordination platinum compound is cis-diammineplatinum (II) dichloride or potassium tetrachloroplatinate or the mixture thereof.
 47. The process according to any of the claims 41-46, wherein the reaction of step e1 is performed by exposure of the reactants to wave radiation, and more particularly to ultrasound treatment, with a power density in the range of 0.5-5 W/cm³ and a frequency in the range of 18-66 kHz and within a period of time in the range from 1 to 30 minutes until the content of unbound platinum falls below 25% of the originally added quantity.
 48. The process according to any of claims 41-47, wherein the thermostating of the reaction mixture in step f1 is performed until the content of free platinum in the crude composite substance falls below 10% of the amount of platinum (II) added in step e1.
 49. The process according to any of the claims 41-48, wherein the purifying procedure of step g1 is performed by subjecting the crude composite substance of step f1 to one or more purifying processes selected from filtration, autoclaving and irradiation.
 50. A drug comprising the composite substance according to any of the claims 36-40 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or modification of a disease.
 51. The drug according to claim 50 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of cancer or for modifying said cancer, for example breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, urinary bladder cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and head and neck cancer.
 52. The drug according to claim 50 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, where the administration route is parenteral, enteral, topical, oral, mucosal or sublingual.
 53. The drug according to any of the claims 50 to 52 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of cancer or modifying the cancer, where the said mammal is a non-food producing species, preferably a human being, a dog, a cat or a horse.
 54. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug according to any of the claims 50-53.
 55. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 54 further comprising one or more excipients.
 56. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 55, where the excipient is selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, humectants and mixtures thereof.
 57. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 54-56 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of cancer or for modifying the cancer, for example breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, urinary bladder cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and head and neck cancer.
 58. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 54-56 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, where the administration route is parenteral, enteral or topical.
 59. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 54-56 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, where the administration route is oral, mucosal or sublingual.
 60. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 59, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a tablet, a lozenge, a chewing gum, a liquid viscous paste, a firm candy or lollipop or a chewable candy or gelled drop.
 61. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 54-57 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of cancer or modifying the cancer, where the said mammal is a non-food producing species, preferably a human being, a dog, a cat or a horse.
 62. A composite substance comprising the water-soluble polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids according to any of the claims 1-11 and a molybdenum compound in the form of a molybdenum acids salt, wherein the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids encapsulates or forms a complex with the said molybdenum compound.
 63. The composite substance according to claim 62, which is characterized by having characteristic IR absorption bands at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 2800-3000 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹, 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ and 1050 cm⁻¹, and where the intensity of the peaks at 3400-3600 cm⁻¹, 1500-1700 cm⁻¹, 1410 cm⁻¹ and 1250-1300 cm⁻¹ is smaller than that of the polymer compound of the benzene polycarboxylic acids.
 64. The composite substance according to any of claims 62 and 63, which is further characterized by having a molecular formula of (C₃H₂O)_(x1)(C₂H₂O)_(x2)(CH₂)_(x3)(MoO₃)_(x4)(H₂O)_(x5)(NH₄)_(x6), where x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, x₅ and x₆ are the coefficients representing any natural, positive, full or fractional number.
 65. The composite substance according to any of the claims 62-64, which is further characterized in that the molybdenum compound is either encapsulated by or forms complex with one of the following structures of the polymer compound of benzene polycarboxylic acids

where the structures a, b, c and d represent moieties of the aromatic components mentioned in claim 11 and structure e represents a moiety of the acids mentioned in claims 7-10.
 66. A process for preparing the composite substance according to any of the claims 62-65 comprising the steps of a2) providing a lignin-containing starting raw material, b2) subjecting the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a2 to alkaline treatment to obtain a solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids, c2) subjecting solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b2 to acid density gradient treatment to obtain crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids, d2) purifying the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c2 to obtain a purified polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids, e2) reacting the purified polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids obtained in step d2 with a molybdenum compound to obtain a reaction mixture, f2) thermostating the reaction mixture of step e2 to obtain crude composite substance, g2) purifying the crude composite substance of step f2 to obtain the composite substance.
 67. The process according to claim 66, wherein the lignin-containing starting raw material of step a2 is produced from conifer trees and has a pH from 5.5 to 7, a moisture content from 50 to 70% and comprises no more than 32% of polysaccharides, no less than 66% of lignin and no more than 2% of water-soluble compounds.
 68. The process according any of the claims 66 and 67, wherein the alkaline treatment of step b2 is performed by reacting an alkaline suspension of lignin-containing material of step a2 with oxygen at a pH of 13±0.5 and a pressure of 2.2±0.3 MPa.
 69. The process according to any of the claims 66-68, wherein the acid density gradient treatment of step c2 is performed by subjecting the solution of sodium salts of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step b2 to treatment with a mineral acid and subsequently to action of centrifugal force.
 70. The process according to any of claims 66-69, wherein the purifying in step d2 is performed by subjecting the crude polymer of benzene polycarboxylic acids of step c2 to one or more purifying processes selected from extraction, flotation, distillation, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, decantation and dialysis.
 71. The process according to any of the claims 66-70, wherein the molybdenum acids salt is ammonium molybdate, ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate, potassium molybdate, sodium molybdate, sodium molybdate dihydrate or a mixture thereof.
 72. The process according to any of the claims 66-71, wherein the reaction of step e2 is performed by exposure of the reactants to wave radiation, and more particularly to ultrasound treatment, with a power density in the range of 0.5-5 W/cm³ and a frequency in the range of 18-66 kHz and within a period of time in the range from 1 to 30 minutes until the content of unbound molybdenum falls below 25% of the originally added quantity.
 73. The process according to any of the claims 66-72, wherein the thermostating of the reaction mixture in step f2 is performed until the content of free molybdenum in the crude composite substance falls below 10% of the amount of molybdenum compound added in step e2.
 74. The process according to any of the claims 66-73, wherein the purification procedure of step g2 is performed by subjecting the crude composite substance to one or more purifying processes selected from filtration, autoclaving and irradiation.
 75. A drug comprising the composite substance according to any of the claims 62-65 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or modification of a disease.
 76. The drug according to claim 75 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease or for modifying the said disease.
 77. The drug according to claim 76 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, where the administration route is oral, mucosal or sublingual.
 78. The drug according to the claim 76 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease or modifying the said disease, where the said mammal is a non-food producing species, preferably a human being, a dog, a cat or a horse.
 79. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the drug according to any of the claims 75-78.
 80. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 79 further comprising one or more excipients.
 81. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 80, where the excipient is selected from the group consisting of antiadherents, binders, coating agents, disintegrants, fillers, solvents/co-solvents, flavours, colours, lubricants, glidants, preservatives, sorbents, sweeteners, carriers, polymers for modified release of API, polymers for protection of API, buffering agents, antioxidants, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, thickening agents, humectants and mixtures thereof.
 82. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 79-81 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease or for modifying the said disease.
 83. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 79-81 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care or for modifying a disease of a mammal, where the administration route is oral, mucosal or sublingual.
 84. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 83, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a tablet, a lozenge, a chewing gum, a liquid viscous paste, a firm candy or lollipop or a chewable candy or gelled drop.
 85. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of the claims 79-81 for use in prophylaxis, treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease or modifying the said disease, where the said mammal is a non-food producing species, preferably a human being, a dog, a cat or a horse.
 86. A method of treating a disease in an individual in need thereof, said method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 18-21, 31-35, 54-61 and 79-85 to a mammal in need thereof.
 87. The method according to claim 86, where the pharmaceutical composition is administered for treatment or palliative care of a mammal suffering of a cell cycle disruption disease or for modifying the said disease.
 88. The method according to any of claims 86-87, where the administration route is oral, parenteral, enteral or topical.
 89. The method according to any of claims 86-88, where the mammal is a non-food producing species, preferably a human being, a dog, a cat or a horse.
 90. The pharmaceutical compositions according to any of claims 18-21, 31-35, 54-61 and 79-85 for use in reducing/minimising side effects resulting from conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
 91. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 90, where the composition is administered orally.
 92. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 90 and 91, where the drug or composition is administered orally before and/or during and/or after use of conventional radio or chemotherapy.
 93. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 90 to 92, where the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a tablet, a lozenge, a chewing gum, a liquid viscous paste, a firm candy or lollipop or a chewable candy or gelled drop.
 94. A method for reducing/minimising side effects resulting from conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy in an individual in need thereof, said method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 18-21, 31-35, 54-61 and 79-85 to a mammal in need thereof. 